Restaurants
This tea house is a hidden gem situated in Dubai’s historic heart. The quaint cafe is an oasis of calm and it’s easy to imagine times gone by while you relax within its traditional walls made of coral, shell and clay. Settle down to sip your morning tea as the sun rises, taking in the cool breeze coming off the nearby Creek with a traditional breakfast platter that includes balaleet – a dish of egg and cardamom flavoured vermicelli. Tel No. +971 4 353 5071
After a long day traipsing around town, you may want a meal from the comfort of your hotel. The Bistro Restaurant at Holiday Inn Downtown, located in Deira is a casual eatery with a lounge area where you can sit back and relax throughout the day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. Choose from an international and Indian menu, and be sure to inquire about the special themed nights hosted here.
The Friday ‘BRNCH’ at Qwerty in Media One injects a little fun to your weekend. The restaurant’s quirky decor features pop icon paintings and impish monkey sculptures, setting the tone for an unconventional dining experience. There’s an endless supply of tasty sharing platters, piled high with prawns, cornish pasties and tandoori chicken samosas, but diners can also look forward to challenging their friends to tabletop games like mini Connect 4 and Atari classics. There’s even a Whatsapp broadcast group to receive silent text challenges for the chance to win exciting prizes, including weekend stays and invitations to Qwerty’s superb Saturday…
One of Dubai’s most Instagram-famous hotels, Rove Downtown never ceases to impress. Boasting a prime location overlooking the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, stop by the hotel’s gallery wall that features an eclectic range of local art, before making your way to The Daily. Every Friday, this expansive space presents a breakfast buffet, complete with freshly-baked pastries, a selection of cheeses and plenty of fresh fruit. Choose your mains from the menu and toast to a memorable start to the weekend with the perfect cup of coffee, expertly crafted by the restaurant barista. Best for: Early starts When: Fridays, 11am – 3pm Cost: AED99…
Stroll into Amici for a taste of the Mediterranean. The contemporary restaurant serves an array of colourful Italian and Mediterranean cuisine all day long, with surprisingly affordable prices. Choose from a large menu of favourites, or opt for the well-laid buffet. This little gem offers a quiet setting with a focus on flavour and good service.
Specialising in Emirati cuisine and seafood, this traditional restaurant is well-loved by locals and is known for its tasty choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Rashidiya. Their authentic breads and charcoal grilled lamb chops are a favourite.
If you’re trying to please a crowd with different tastes, this is the place to be. From European to Middle Eastern, South East Asian to Indian delicacies, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Mouth-watering favourites include a full-bodied lentil soup, Thai green curry with vegetables, butter chicken served with aromatic rice and eggs benedict with salmon. Tel No. +971 4 453 5293
Sitting in an environment boasting Mediterranean themed décor, it’s hard to believe that you’re actually in Dubai. Feast on traditional Greek dishes prepared ‘kouzina’ style just like a Greek grandma would. Take a hike through the country’s culinary history while tucking into the lavish Big Fat Greek breakfast, extensive meat and grilled fish menu, or unconventional dishes such as octopus with eggplant mousse. Tel No. +971 4 325 5091
Here’s your favourite neighbourhood café where families can get together for a chat over food that aims to please. Whatever you choose, whether it’s jerk chicken, prawn tacos or even the healthy Korean Bibimbap bowl packed with kimchi and sprouts, you’re sure to enjoy the brilliance of each carefully prepared dish. The café is also popular with fitness enthusiasts who frequent the place for their generous selection of teas, seasonal juice blends and organic smoothies. Tel No. +971 50 478 1094
